Today’s News Stories

Construction of Mumtaz Qadri Shrine complex in the final phases

A report in Daily Ummat says construction of the shrine complex at the grave of Mumtaz Qadri, the killer of former Governor Punjab Salman Taseer is near completion. The report says four and half million rupees have been spent on the construction which were collected from common people in the shape of donations and charities. However, no financial support was taken from any organisation or group, the report indicates. The report states that more than 200 devotees visit Mumtaz Qadri’s shrine daily while the number doubles on weekends.

Two Police officers among four people injured in blast in Balochistan

At least four persons including two police personnel were injured in a blast at Hameedabad near Suhbatpur area of Jaffarabad district, Balochistan. According to The Nation, the blast occurred when police personnel were patrolling in the area. The injured were shifted to nearby hospital for medical aid. Soon after police and security forces along with bomb disposal squad team reached the site and cordoned off the entire area. Further investigation was underway.

Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah has directed home department, religious affairs department, commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure implementation of code of conduct for maintenance of religious harmony and fraternal atmosphere during Muharramul Haram. He order to take all stakeholders, including ulema and zakireen onboard, and take due measures for holding peaceful majalis, fateha khwani, taziadari and azadari gatherings.

Opinion

FATF failures

This editorial in Daily Times says Pakistan should have taken strong measures to fulfill its commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) so that it could make it out of its monitoring list. It says however, Pakistan apparently failed to take substantial measures and FATF regional affiliate Asia-Pacific Group (AGP) has downgraded Pakistan to the ‘enhanced follow-up category’. Daily Times hopes that the newly formulated high-powered committee to help Pakistan meet FATF deadline will be able to lead the country out of FATF’s monitoring list.

Meeting FATF deadlines

This editorial in Daily Jang comments on the FATF scrutiny of Pakistan’s anti-money laundering and terror financing measures, where the regional affiliate of FATF has downgraded the country’s status to enhanced monitoring. It says Pakistan has been trying to make it out of FATF’s grey-list for many years but we have not been able to achieve it. Daily Jang expresses hope that the newly found committee by Prime Minister Imran Khan will help Pakistan meet its deadlines.